Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month? To be honest, most of us probably feel we don’t need to be reminded that life is stressful! Be we do need for that awareness to result in action, to motivate us to do something about it, and remember to prioritise our wellbeing.

Stress can have all sort of negative impacts on our health, especially when it’s a long term situation. It’s widely accepted that, as well as affecting our mood and emotions, stress can affect our digestion, blood pressure, energy levels, muscles, skin, immune system and probably more. So if you’re feeling stressed it’s important to take action! But what can we do?

Spending time in nature, or ‘green space’, has been shown to significantly lower stress levels, restoring the balance of our mind and mood level. The concept of forest bathing, from the Japanese shinrin-yoku, has been growing in popularity for this reason, and can really help with relaxation. So, how can you get started?

Forest bathing is about being submerged in nature, the same as taking a normal bath is about being submerged in water. Of course, whenever we go into a forest it is all around us, but do we really slow down and take the time to feel it? Focusing on and appreciating the tiny details of natural things can help our mind not to stray back to that pesky to-do list. This involves engaging all our senses, not just sight, although that is important of course!

With the above in mind, don’t just look at the trees, listen to them. Enjoy hearing the birds sing. Sink your hands into the thick moss, or dip them into cold woodland streams. Smell the wild garlic, the wood sorrel, and the pine needles. Maybe even taste those things too if you’re certain of your identification! Pine needle tea is a great option if you fancy a cuppa while out and about.

Don’t forget to take some deep, full breaths. Turn off your mobile phone, or at least make sure it’s on silent mode. It’s also a good idea not to worry too much over how far along the walk you get, feeling you have to complete it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get far, because the whole point is simply about being where you are. Don’t think about work, make plans or talk. Find a bench and just sit quietly and enjoy your surroundings. If you’re of a creative turn of mind, you could even find yourself feeling inspired for your next project.

In Perthshire we are fortunate to have many forests and woodlands to choose from to make the most of this stress busting activity. Who can fail to be soothed when taking in the natural beauties of the Hermitage, the Birks of Aberfeldy or the Den of Alyth? These local beauty have the added advantage of being next to water, which has it’s own de-stressing benefits, now sometimes called ‘blue space’. As spring continues to blossom, we also have the delights of stunning bluebell woods such as Kinclaven to look forward to.

So, the next time you just can’t seem to stop thinking about work, you feel overwhelmed by day-to-day tasks, or you just need a little peace and quiet, try taking yourself off to the woods for some calming immersion in nature for a while.